ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele exited his first career opening-day start with a left hamstring strain after going down awkwardly while fielding a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning against World Series champion Texas on Thursday night.
Steele came off the mound and lunged while reaching to pick up a ball. After tossing the ball to first base to get out Leody Taveras, Steele went down to the ground in foul territory, grabbing the back of his left leg above his knee.
After being visited by an athletic trainer, Steele got up on his own and walked slowly toward the Cubs dugout. Julian Merryweather replaced Steele and got out of the inning to keep the game tied at 1.
“I was fielding the bunt or whatever and when I was leaning over backhanding the ball, kind of felt something grab,” Steele said. “Just kind of went down with it and didn’t want to do anything to risk further injury.”
Manager Craig Counsell said Steele would have an MRI on Friday morning, and a stint on the injured list is likely.
Steele struck out six and allowed three hits over 4 2/3 innings. He was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 30 starts last season, when he was an All-Star and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
“You’re thinking that it’s just a shame,” Counsell said. “He’s pitching really, really well. Obviously, an important member of the team. This is a part of a baseball season. Injuries are going to happen, and you’ve got to rebound from ’em, recover from ’em.”
His first two strikeouts came against Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, the first two hitters in the Rangers lineup and the top finishers in last season’s AL MVP voting behind unanimous winner Shohei Ohtani.
“It was good to get out there and get the first one under your belt, you know opening day, all the jitters,” Steele said. “Get on the horse again and have a speedy recovery from this and get right back out there.”
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Chicago Cubs starter Justin Steele delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele lies on the ground, holding his left leg during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele falls to the ground, holding his left leg during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
BOSTON (AP) — Ceddanne Rafaela homered and drove in seven runs, and Tyler O’Neill also went deep as the Boston Red Sox routed the Chicago Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Rafaela was asked if he could recall a time when he amassed seven RBIs in a game.
“That I remember? No,” Rafaela said.
The Red Sox established single-game season bests at home with runs and 21 hits. Boston, which lost eight of its first 11 games at Fenway Park this season, snapped a two-game skid and won for the fifth time in eight games overall.
Rafaela, playing shortstop and batting ninth, went 4 for 4. Masataka Yoshida made his first start since April 20 and went 4 for 5. Bobby Dalbec, who entered the game batting .093, had two hits, three RBIs — including a run-scoring hit in a six-run fifth inning — and scored twice.
“It was a sense of relief that I was able to deliver good results,” Yoshida said.
Six Red Sox players finished with at least two hits – a good development for a lineup that has lost a few key contributors since opening day.
“We always want the guys to stay healthy throughout the year. It’s sad that we’re missing some players, but whoever is in the lineup and on the roster, we’ve got to do our best,” Yoshida said.
O’Neill jumped on a 3-0 pitch and sent it over the Green Monster for his ninth homer and a 2-0 lead in the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Rafaela made it 3-0 in the fourth. The Red Sox broke loose for six runs in the fifth.
“I loved it. That was professional right there,” Rafaela said about his sac fly. “It’s the little things that’s going to allow us to play in October.”
Rafaela hit a basesloaded double that made it 8-0. Wilyer Abreu became the first Red Sox rookie to record RBIs in eight consecutive games when he singled, scoring O’Neill, who helped get the big inning going with a one-out double.
“It’s what we work for and what I work for … to help the team,” Rafaela said. “It’s awesome to have these types of games and awesome to do it in front of these fans.”
Red Sox starter Josh Winckowski worked three scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Boston starting pitchers came in with an American League-best 2.15 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a league-low .214 batting average.
Justin Slaton (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. He was one of four relievers used after Winckowski.
The Cubs managed just four hits and needed two position players — Matt Mervis, Patrick Wisdom — to record three outs in the eighth inning. Chicago starter Ben Brown (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four.
“I was in a good spot to go out there and compete,” Brown said. “Obviously it’s a tough game, but we have a really tough team. We showed that today. ”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain) threw 47 pitches in an extended spring game in Arizona on Friday. The next step is a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Steele has been on the IL since exiting his opening day start on March 28.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (IL since April 6 with a flexor strain of his pitching elbow) is on track to make a rehab start Thursday. Triple-A Worcester is scheduled to play at home that same day. Pivetta threw a 50-pitch live LP Saturday. … Devers made his first start at third base since April 16. … The minor-league rehab assignment for 2B Vaughn Grissom (left hamstring strain) could be nearing the end. Cora said the plan was for Grissom to play nine innings Saturday and Sunday for Worcester. … The Red Sox acquired 1B/OF Garrett Cooper from the Cubs for cash considerations. Cooper was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston transferred 1B Triston Casas to the 60-day IL to make room for Cooper on the 40-man roster.
UP NEXT
Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.65) will start Sunday night’s series finale against Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks 1-2, 4.70).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
With Chicago Cubs outfielder Patrick Wisdom on the mound, left fielder Alexander Canario waits for the pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Chicago Cubs left fielder Alexander Canario makes the catch on the fly out by Boston Red Sox's David Hamilton during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Winckowski throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida, right, follows through on his single in front of Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes, center, during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec scores on a three-run double by Ceddanne Rafaela as Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes reaches for the late throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates after his two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
